Welcome to Quick Fill.

 

I usually begin each week’s column with a brief description of my whereabouts so I’ll continue the tradition by saying this week comes to you from a truck stop oasis somewhere in Northern Illinois. If you don’t believe me, check out my Instagram photo HERE.

 

So it sounds like the place to be for ATV riders this weekend is Iowa’s Heartland Challenge 10-hour race. It’s going to be a team effort on the Sport quad side of things and a few of our top pro riders will be there repping GNCC until the end. Walker Fowler, Gabe Phillips and Johnny Gallagher are headed over to give it their all, with three-times the effort of a normal GNCC. Now normally the Pro 4x4 class takes on the same format, but this year it’s every man for himself, literally. Guys like Michael Swift, Forrest Whorton, Kevin Trantham and Bryan Buckhannon”†to name a few”†will be going Ironman style for the full 10-hours! That’s insane if you ask me, but if anyone could handle it, I would put my money on those 4x4 guys. Good luck to everyone riding out there this weekend.

 

I haven’t really heard or seen much on the bike side of things, which is a bit strange for this time of year. It’s good to see people trying different things over break, as Nate Kanney put it in this week’s edition of Wednesday Wrench ”“ “You have to really take the time off to get the opportunities of the break. A lot of work goes into doing a race. By the time you take a full day to prepare your bike to go to the race- it’s more valuable to continue training and practicing. It’s good to take advantage of taking some time off so you don’t get burned out, either.  We do so much of it that when you get a chance to take a break, it’s good to get some fresh air and it keeps you really hungry when you get back to it.” It sounds like Nate has been doing more off-the-bike training like cycling and keeping his body fit, which makes sense as to why he’s been so quiet the past couple of months. Nate is a prime example of a rider who’s just on the edge of making or breaking it in his racing career. He’s fortunate enough to get help from JT Bennett and the JG Offroad crew, but I know a good bit comes out of his pocket, too. So you have to applaud Nate’s tenacity and drive in making racing a continual career for himself. It would be nice to see a breakthrough ride at Unadilla, since it’s his home state race and all.

 

Speaking of Dilla, that’s where the rest of the crew is headed this weekend for the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross series. Once again, I’ve managed to somehow dodge the UVSC for the fourth time in a row since my time here at Racer. We have a GNCC, MX and ATVMX race there over the course of a season and last year my schedule crossed-over every time! It really actually bums me out because I would love to see the place, so hopefully I’ll be heading over September 15 and 16 for some GNCC Racing (maybe do some GNCC Racing myself..). But in the meantime, this weekend I’ll be making my way to North Carolina to celebrate the moment that will validate “Hotel Hooper” once and for all”†the Hoops are tying the knot! I’d like to give a premature shout out to GNNC/RacerTV/Digitaloffroad’s very own Jason Hooper and Krista “soon-to-be-Hooper” Shaw as they celebrate their big day this Saturday, August 18. We love you guys!

 

That will do it for me. Again, our apologies for dis-including photos. We’re still working out bugs on the website and I’m not able to upload photos when I’m not in the office. Have a fun and safe weekend!

 

@JaredBolton:

 

Once again we close another week of summer break and creep a little bit closer to racing action at Unadilla. I must be confused because I'm here now and there's only one guy with a red number plate and nobody has any hand guards! There's also nothing going on in the woods and a bunch of guys are only working on the motocross track. I think I may have shown up for the Motocross National. Regardless, it's getting me pumped for our Unadilla race and I expect to see a few familiar faces around here this weekend. Big thanks to Jeremy Saylor for letting me tag along here this weekend and see some behind the scenes type stuff at the Nationals. It's a blast!

 

As far as actual racing action is concerned, last weekend saw Paul Whibley take to the track and snag an overall win at the Flat Rock NCHSA event in Taylorsville, North Carolina. Second place went to Robby Norwood who you may remember tearing up the 200-A class a few years ago when Steward Baylor was the man to beat there. Robby has had some pretty stellar performances on the local side in recent years and remains to be a contender at races across the southeast. 

 

I also got a note from one of the NCHSA officials who asked me to thank Whibs for coming out to race with them. I've seen a lot of GNCC regulars contesting some NCHSA races over the years, and it seems like the staff and riders always enjoy having us out. It’s cool to see a local series welcoming high-caliber riders with open arms. They're back in action next weekend in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina and I imagine I'll make my way out there to enjoy some of the racing action. 

 

I'm sure there's all sort of other local series across the country that are having stellar races as well. Guys like Adam Bonneur, Chris Douglas, Derrik Allen and many more all do the various series through the Midwest. If anyone has any cool races reports, I'd like to hear them. Give me a shout at [email protected] and let me know what's been going on. 

 

I feel like I've been cutting short every week for a while, but with a slight lack of good gossip going around, it's kind of hard to keep you guys updated week after week without discussing the same championship battles. I have some surprises coming for everyone in these final weeks before Unadilla, so stay tuned because it could get pretty good. However, I'm cutting it here this week so I can get back to soaking up the Unadilla sun and you guys can enjoy your break and keep your training up! Until next time, Bolt-On out!

 

And here’s @HotRodney22:

 

Did I just look at the calendar right? It’s still another four weeks before the chaos stops and we can get back to life, you know, back to reality. The GNCC as big as it is, is home sweet home. I am however making a pre-visit to Unadilla for the AMA Motocross Nationals this weekend so hopefully I can feel a little at home.

 

It has been a busy break to say the least. Between the finale of the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship and the Red Bull AMA Amateur National Championship I have barely had time to realize we are on a break. It is all good though. The racing has made time fly and I am at a loss for words at the caliber of competition I have seen this season. I would have to go out on a limb and say that the racing is as good as or better than it ever has been.

 

Congratulations to Chad Wienen on clinching his first ever championship aboard a privateer backed Yamaha program. Chad is truly a good example of what hard work and determination is all about. Chad only a year ago on a factory team and suffered what could have been a career ending injury overcame all the obstacles and persevered through it all. My hats off to Chad and his whole team for making his dreams come true. As well congratulation goes to Yamaha for their first ever championship in AMA ATV Motocross Nationals and for winning the manufacturers points for 2012.

 

As far as GNCC stuff”¦”¦..Yeah”¦..I saw Cody Gragg and Aaron Plessinger racing at Loretta’s and both boys rode well. Cody finished a top ten overall and Aaron got another knot on his elbow. Hot Rod Charlie Mullins was in attendance and said he is healing nicely and really ready for the new baby to get here. They still have a few weeks but the Mullins’ are sure excited.

 

Westley Wolfe won a championship in the ATVMX Nationals and is currently setting 3^rd in his GNCC class. Westley hopes to win a championship in both disciplines and isn’t far out of the realm of possibility. I am not sure if anyone has ever done that but it will be super cool to see that kind of accomplishment out of the youngster.

 

I will have to cut things real short here. I am getting tired on my way to New York. It seems they would not hold out for one more trip. It is kind of good though. It did give me time to remember to send this week’s contribution and it gave me some time to stop and take a breath. No fretting though, GNCC is only a month away.

 

Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organ